Cruise Musician Jobs

Orchestra Bass Guitarists are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. Some ship positions also require bassists to cover Upright Bass. While sight-reading is essential, candidates must also have excellent feel, time, and the ability to play a variety of styles including Swing, Cha Cha, Rhumba, Tango & Funk.

Orchestra Drummers are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. While sight-reading is essential, candidates must also have excellent feel, time, and the ability to play a variety of styles including Swing, Mambo, Boss Nova, Rock & Funk.

Orchestra Guitarists are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. Candidates must be comfortable reading notation and interpreting chords as well as soloing in Rock, Blues & Jazz formats.

Orchestra Keys Players are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. Candidates must be comfortable reading notation and interpreting chord charts as well as soloing in Rock, Blues & Jazz formats.

Orchestra Saxophonists are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. Candidates should cover Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Flute & Clarinet. While sight-reading is essential, Saxophonists should also have a strong improvisational soloing vocabulary.

Orchestra Trombonists are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. While sight-reading is essential, Trombonists should also have a mature tone and a good concept of phrasing, dynamics and vibrato.

Orchestra Trumpeters are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. While sight-reading is essential, candidates should also have range with consistency and confidence.

Band Vocalists are versatile and engaging entertainers with the ability to work a crowd. Candidates should be able to cover a wide range of genres and styles with strong stage presence and impeccable pitch.

Instrumental Guitarist who can play it all with a classy feel. Classical, latin, jazz, pop…ideal candidates have an expansive repertoire and the ability to play songs upon request. From Jobin to Santana, this cruise ship musician will have themed sets and the ability to take requests. Performances poolside, in the atrium for afternoon tea or in the martini lounge for pre-dinner cocktails, versatility and the ability to adapt are key.

Aspiring Cocktail Pianists that want to become cruise ship musicians should have a large repertoire of songs ranging from Classical tunes to current Pop and Top 40 hits. Performance times and locations on board may include afternoon tea, early evening sail-away, or after dinner background music in a bar or cocktail lounge. The ability to sight read is benifical for special events such as weddings or anniversaries, as is the ability to add vocals, however, this is not required.

John Mayer, Jason Mraz, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett…these are just a few of the artists that a Solo Guitar/Vocalist should have in their song list for guest-requests and to create a fun and engaging atmosphere at their performances. This type of cruise ship musician can be found all around the ship in bars, lounges, poolside, on the back deck, or even performing in the theater or main atrium. Sing-a-long styles and guest requests make each performance unique, and an outgoing personality will help to ensure guests follow their favorite performer all cruise long. Looping pedals, harmonizers, and other pedal-effects are encouraged as they can add an additional dimension to performances, however, backing tracks, in general, are not preferred.

The personality to entertain a lounge and 88 keys to help them do it. Our Solo Piano Vocalists are some of the most engaging and entertaining cruise ship musicians in the world. Styles range from the 1950’s to current Pop hits and interactive performances include Theme Nights, Name-That-Tune, and Sing-a-Long favorites. Backing tracks should be avoided and the ability to field requests is required.

High-quality backing tracks and a talent for fun-in-the-sun Vocals & Steel Pan playing define the ideal candidate for the cruise ship musician position of Solo Steel Pan. Performing in several of the outdoor venues and moslty on Caribbean itineraries this entertainer should have a large variety of songs including Reggae, Pop, Oldies, Motown, and some dance and latin styles.

Including at least one vocalist, Caribbean Ensembles will be comprised of cruise ship musicians performing on the Steel Pan, as well a guitar, bass, keys, or drums. They should be versatile and comfortable performing poolside, at outdoor venues and bars, as well in lounges and cocktail areas. Guest requests will be common and the songs of Buffet, Marley, and Zac Brown will be the foundation of their repertoire.

Classical Ensembles include Duos, Trios & Quartets performing in atriums, lounges and on the main stage. Ensembles must be well versed in Classical, Standards, Show Tunes & Contemporary styles as they set the scene for an elegant unforgettable guest experience.

Four cruise ship musicians that can perform everything from Miles Davis to Miley Cyrus. Dance Ensembles should have at least one vocalist and the ability of other members to cover lead or backing vocals is preferred. A lineup including Keys, Bass, Drums, and Guitar is optimal, however, there are opportunities for band with 3 of the 4, and a lead vocalist.

Two people, one big sound. Backing tracks, instruments, harmonies, and lead vocals all coming from two musicians on a cruise ship. Duos should have a song list of at least 250+ and be able to take requests and create an engaging atmosphere for every performance.

Real Books, Fake Books, and all of the Ballroom styles should be the wheelhouse for these Trios and Quartets. Keys, Bass, Drums, Guitar, and or Horn are the most common arrangement, and the bands should also be able to perform crossover styles of Pop, Top 40, Funk, and Blues.

Similar to a Wedding Band or Corporate Band on land, a Party Band consists of cruise ship musicians that can bring the party every night. Normally comprised of 4 or 5 members, these bands must have large song lists and it is preferred that multiple, if not all, of the members can add vocals. The most common arrangement is Keys, Bass, Drums, Guitar, and Lead Vocals. Theme Nights, Poolside Sets, and Dance Parties are where the guests fall in love the the Party Band and find themselves having the time of their lives.